Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid flew to Bahrain today on the highest-level Israeli visit to the Gulf state since the countries established formal relations last year.

Lapid, who landed at Bahrain's international airport in an Israir plane with an olive branch painted on its nose, met Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

He also held talks with his Bahraini counterpart and will inaugurate Israel's embassy in Manama.

"His Majesty's leadership and inspiration have led to true cooperation and our meeting outlined the path forward for our relationship," Lapid said on Twitter after meeting the king.

Bahrain and Gulf neighbor the United Arab Emirates normalized relations with Israel last year in a U.S.-brokered deal known as the Abraham Accords that built on shared business interests and worries about Iran. Sudan and Morocco followed suit.

"We see Bahrain as an important partner, on the bilateral level but also as a bridge to cooperate with other countries in the region," an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.